How to Choose an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Lansdowne Pennsylvania

Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lansdowne PA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications also. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Lansdowne PA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

• Traditional and specialized X-Rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Sonography or ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must maintain their equipment and routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lansdowne PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

The primary prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Lansdowne PA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several provide other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Lansdowne PA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Classes

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often conducted in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Lansdowne PA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online college you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiographer Programs

When you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing Lansdowne PA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material factor also. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Lansdowne PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Pennsylvania xray technician programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Lansdowne PA healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Lansdowne PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Lansdowne PA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Lansdowne PA colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer  program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Lansdowne PA, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Lansdowne PA

Picking the appropriate x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Lansdowne PA.

Some Background on Lansdowne Pennsylvania

 

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